Electric-plug attachment



June

C. R. MUELLER ELECTRIC PLUG ATTACHMENT Filed March 1922 a FzwZoZpk MQeZZeEE Patented June 4,

PATENT OFFICE.

cnrsriai -nunotrn Montana, or HIGHLANI) r mm.

ELEGIBIO-PLUG ATTACHMENT.

Application fled larch 4, 1922. Serial No. 540,988.

My invention relates to electric plug attachments and more particularly to an attachment adapted to be connected with the ordinary electric light socket for the purpose of utilizing the electric wiring system as a radio receiving antenna.

It is one of the prime objects of my invention to provide a device which may be utilized by the ordinary individual in his homeasan aerial for receiving wireless messages, the intent being to utilize the vast amount of wiring used in an electric system for the urpose of gathering radio signals which'ma e possible the use of wireless receiving apparatus.

It is impracticable to utilize the ordinary electric lighting circuit as an antenna for a radio receiving outfit because of the danger ous currents carried by the electriclighting circuit. M improved device will make safe the use of t e ordinary electric wiring system of a house because of the fact that I interpose a means to prevent dangerous currents from entering the radio set.

gt is a further object of my invention to provi e such means of cheap and simple construc tion and wherein all possibility of electric shocks or other accidents is removed. 7

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in'th'e arrangement, combination and construction of the various parts of in improved device as described in the speci cation, claimed in my claims, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevatitin of my improved device together 'with an'ordinaryelectric light plug socket.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of my improved device.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the material used in a condenser for my improved device and Fig. 4 is a-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

I have shown an ordinary standard electric light plu socket 1', having a head 2' thereon into whic the conductors 3 and 4 of a plug are adapted to seat. I have shown the conparafiin paper, mica or emcured to either one of the conductors 8 and 9,

say to the conductor 8 as at 13. I then provlde a conductor 14 suitably attached to the other of the conductors 8' and 9,-as in this instance to the conductor 9, as at 15. The incoming radio signals will pass on through the conductor 14; into the radio receiving set or other similar apparatus.

Condenser 7 provides an inductive couphng between theelectric li hting circuit and the receiving apparatus 0 such value that the direct or low frequency currents flowing in the ordinary electric lighting circuit can not pass through to such apparatus. The con'-'- struction of the condenser is such that, while blocking the low frequenc currents carried by the supply system 'hig frequency radio currents are permittedto ass.

In some cases it may desirable to so label or' mark the heads 2 and 5 of the sepa-, rable plug so that they maybe joined to the same support whenever the device is used.

Itwvill thus be seen that undesirable current from the ordinary li hting circuit cart-- not pass through the con enser 7. The construction of the condenser 7 is such that high frequency radio currents can pass therethrough and on, via conductor 14, to the radio receiving set, where they will be selected, detected and-amplified to any degree desired. p 1

It will beseen that only one side of the lighting circuit is utilized as with conductor 3, the'other conductor 4 beingdead. The dimensions of the two conductors 3 and 4 being identical and proportioned to match the standardized plug rece tacle, the device can'be reversed until by trial the best position can be determined. In some cases it ma be desirable to so label or mark the hea s 2 and 5 that the may always be joined in same position a ter being separated. This is because the two sides 0 an ordinary li ht ing circuit have difierent characteristics w en used as a radio antenna.

, It is obvious that various changes may be made in the arrangement, combination and construction of the various parts of my im proved device without departing from the spirit of the invention therein and it is my intention to cover by my claims such changes .as may be reasonably included within the Y vdenser adapted to lie connected at one end scope thereof.

What I claim is: 1. In a device of the class described, a conventional electric lighting socket plug, a secondplug having a pair of prongs for insertion in said socket plug, a condenser secured to said second plug and electrically connected to one of said prongs, and means for connecting said condenser with a radio receiving set.

2. In a device of the class described, a conventional electric lighting socket, a condenser adapted to be connected at one end with a radio receiving set, a covering for said condenser, meansjfor engaging said outlet, comprising a pair of prongs secured to-said covering, one of said prongs being electrically connected with said condenser.

3. In a device of the class described, a condenser, an insulated'housing for said condenser, means leading from'said condenser for connecting it with a radio receiving set, aconventional electric lighting socket plug having two openings therein, a reversible or secondary plug integral with said housing,

said second plug having a pair of prongsproperly spaced for simultaneously entering said openings in the socket plilg, and means for connecting one of said prongs with saidcondenser.

4. Ina device of the class described, a conventional electric lighting socket plug, a second plug comprising a housing of insulated materiaLhavin a pair of prongs secured in one end .theieo adapted to be inserted into said socket-plug, a condenser in said housing and electrically connected with only one of said prongs, an' electric conductor adapted for attachment to a radio receiving set con nected at one end'to said condenser, whereby one side only of a lighting circuit ma be cond no elecnected with a radio receiving set an tric shock from said circuit may be sustained.

5. In a-device of the'class described, a conventional electric lighting socket, a plug for said socket comprising a cylindrical housing of insulating material having a pair of prongs secured in one end thereof a' condenser rolled in cylindrical form into said housin an insulated conductor leading from sai housing and connected with said condenser and means 65 for connecting one only of said prongs with said condenser.

6. In a device of the class described, a con- Q ventional electric li 'hting socket plug,a conwith a radio receiving set, an insulated housing for said condenser asecond plug integral with said housing, a pair of prongs ecured to said second plug adapted to be inserted into ing the condenser with said signalling ap-- paratus.

8. A plug for inductively coupling a high frequency receiving set to a conventional outlet of a system carrying direct or relatively low frequency currents, said plug comprising a condenser having a value which will highfrequency currents but prevent the flow of direct or .low frequency currents, a casing of insulating material for said condenser, a

plurality of members secured to the casing and adapted to engage said outlet, certain of said members comprising one terminal of the condenser, and means comprising another pass terminal of the condenser for connecting the g same'with said receiving set.

9, A plug for inductively coupling a high frequency receiving set to'a conventional outlet of a system carrying direct or relatively low frequency currents, said plug comprising a condenser aving a value which will pass high frequency currents but prevent the flow of direct or low frequency currents, a casing of insulating material for said condenser, a plurality 'of members secured to one-end of the casing and adapted to engage said outlet, certain of said members comprising one terminal of the condenser, means comprising the other terminalof the condenser being secured to the opposite end of the casing for.

connecting the plug with said receiving set.

' (l. RUDOLPH MUELLER. 

